Jeremy Irvine, at just 22 years old, has a career that most actors would envy after being called up for War Horse by Steven Spielberg.

Since then he's landed roles on both sides of the Atlantic working with A-list talent including Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth. Currently, he's starring opposite Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter as Pip in Mike Newell's rendering of Great Expectations.

Digital Spy talked to the rising star about his intimidating co-stars Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter, and why he wanted to do something different with Charles Dickens.

"I was already signed up at this point, I wasn't expecting that," Irvine said of his high-profile cast mates Fiennes and Bonhan Carter. "I couldn't believe it. It was almost like when you put together your dream football team.

"It's funny, you just can't think about it. These actors are incredibly famous. As soon as you start working with someone, you have to forget about it. They were incredibly kind and generous to me.

"Ralph is such a committed, intense actor and will say things, like 'Let's improvise!' He doesn't have to do that for me, I'm just the snotty-nosed new kid!"